by Gene Sansone

The first subway line in New York City opened on October 27, 1904. To celebrate the centennial of this event, the Johns Hopkins University Press presents a new edition of Gene Sansone's acclaimed book, Evolution of New York City Subways. Produced under the auspices of New York's Metropolitan Transit Authority, this comprehensive account of the rapid transit system's design and engineering history offers an extensive array of photographs, engineering plans, and technical data for nearly every subway car in the New York City system from the days of steam and cable to the present.


The product of years of meticulous research in various city archives, this book is organized by type of car, from the 1903–04 wood and steel Composite cars to the R142 cars put into service in 2000. For each car type, Sansone provides a brief narrative history of its design, construction, and service record, followed by detailed schematic drawings and accompanying tables that provide complete technical data, from the average cost per car and passenger capacity to seat and structure material, axle load, and car weight. Sansone also includes a helpful subway glossary from A Car (the end car in a multiple car coupled unit) to Zone (a section of the train to the conductor's left or right side).


Subway and train enthusiasts, students of New York City history, and specialists in the history of technology will appreciate this updated and authoritative reference work about one of the twentieth century's greatest urban achievements.

Hardcover; 528 pages; 8.5 x 1.4 x 11 inches

In stock

SKU 1-1833

Description / New York Subways: An Illustrated History of New York City's Transit Cars (Centennial Edition)

by Gene Sansone

The first subway line in New York City opened on October 27, 1904. To celebrate the centennial of this event, the Johns Hopkins University Press presents a new edition of Gene Sansone's acclaimed book, Evolution of New York City Subways. Produced under the auspices of New York's Metropolitan Transit Authority, this comprehensive account of the rapid transit system's design and engineering history offers an extensive array of photographs, engineering plans, and technical data for nearly every subway car in the New York City system from the days of steam and cable to the present.


The product of years of meticulous research in various city archives, this book is organized by type of car, from the 1903–04 wood and steel Composite cars to the R142 cars put into service in 2000. For each car type, Sansone provides a brief narrative history of its design, construction, and service record, followed by detailed schematic drawings and accompanying tables that provide complete technical data, from the average cost per car and passenger capacity to seat and structure material, axle load, and car weight. Sansone also includes a helpful subway glossary from A Car (the end car in a multiple car coupled unit) to Zone (a section of the train to the conductor's left or right side).


Subway and train enthusiasts, students of New York City history, and specialists in the history of technology will appreciate this updated and authoritative reference work about one of the twentieth century's greatest urban achievements.

Hardcover; 528 pages; 8.5 x 1.4 x 11 inches

What's The Story

New York's first subway line opened in Manhattan on October 27, 1904 with 28 stations. The route traveled approximately nine miles from City Hall north to Grand Central Station, then west to Times Square and up the West Side to 145th Street. Today, the subway system has grown to 468 stations connecting neighborhoods across the city.

We found other products you might like!

Navigating through the elements of the carousel is possible using the tab key. You can skip the carousel or go straight to carousel navigation using the skip links.
Subway Map Mug
$12.95
Staten Island Railway Wooden Train
$15.95
GCT Ceiling Bow Tie
$48.00
Toddler Tee 4 Train (Brooklyn to Bronx)
As low as $19.95
Grand Central Terminal Coaster Set
$16.00
Yankee Stadium Subway Sign Umbrella
$30.00
NYC Subway Wooden B Train
$15.95
Subway Logo S Train Ornament
$16.00
Wooden Letter E Train
$6.75
Wood Good Trouble Engine
$6.75
Frequently bought together
Vignelli Limited Edition Leila Pen
$49.50
Medium Grand  Central Coin Purse
$7.00
Toddler Tee 4 Train (Brooklyn to Bronx)
As low as $19.95
NYC Subway #L Train Teddy Bear
$9.99
Token & Revenue Bag Wallet
$90.00
New York Is . . . Book
$12.99
Locomotive Wooden Kit-Set
$16.95
Lantern Girl Magnet
$4.95
2012 Reflection MTA Arts & Design Poster
$20.00